14.07. (Thu) 02:45 Brazil - Ecuador

Just a little kid I watched Brazil winning the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Ever since there has been a certain magic around the Brazilian national side. You have always been able to rely on Brazil playing some brilliant stuff from time to time. Not these days. This side is quite lacklustre. No brilliance to be found. OK, they are building a side for their own World Cup 2014, but some individual magic has always been a Brazilian trademark. Ganso I like though. Rare mistakes by the Brazilian defence proved costly against Paraguay.

Brazil are in a must win situation and they are a facing a rather poor Ecuador side. Surely things cannot go wrong for the Brazilians. Their coach is indicating that he could make one or two changes for this match. Neymar out?

Will Valencia be fit to play for Ecuador? I doubt that he will take any risks and my guess is that he is out of this final? game for Ecuador. I have heard rumours that he will be playing after all, but I have my doubts. Same old ankle is troubling him. Very likely win for the favourites.

Read More

14.07. (Thu) 00:15 Paraguay - Venezuela

My warning for Venezuela ahead of this tournament has proved right. They dominated their match against Ecuador, outshooting their opponents 13-6. The Gonzalez goal was enough to win the match. Rondon started the match on the bench and Venezuela are a bit lightweight in their front line.

Venezuela have already qualified for the quarter finals and they will be looking for the draw in this game. I expect them to play rather defensively. They are free from injuries and suspensions.

Paraguay, with only two points this far, will of course go for the win. Santa Cruz scored against Brazil, but he also missed an absolute sitter. Anyway the Blackburn striker is looking strong again after a lengthy lean spell. Paraguay won both their qualifying games against Venezuela in the World Cup 2010 qualifying group, but Venezuela are an improved outfit and they should not be underestimated.

Maybe Paraguay have been made too big favourites in this fixture.

Read More

13.07. (Wed) 02:45 Uruguay - Mexico

I had no problems with the 1.70 on the Uruguayan win but sorry it is now down to 1.57. They have everything to play for and they are facing probably the worst side in the tournament, the Mexican reserves. I do not think that Uruguay have reached their full potential, but that goes for almost every other side in this Copa America. There is one set back for Uruguay, as Cavani will be sidelined for this game. Defence man M Caceres will also be missing, suspended. Not the end of the world, but bit of a worry. Abel Hernandez will probably slot in for Cavani. A Pereira will play on the Caceres position and C Rodriguez will play on their midfield.

Mexico need to win this match to have any chance of reaching the quarter final. They are without points so far. Only fair, I would suggest, as they have created very few scoring chances in their two games. Still they will make an honest attempt of winning the match. Uruguay to win is the only outcome for this writer.

Read More

13.07. (Wed) 00:15 Chile - Peru

Two things to remember, both sides have already reached the quarter finals. There is a dismal relationship between these two nations and I do not expect a friendly game ending in a draw. Well, there could of course be a draw, but not an arranged one.

Decent odds on the win for Chile but then again Peru have done nothing wrong so far. Both these sides drew with Uruguay and defeated Mexico, but in my opinion Chile are potentially much stronger than Peru. Especially against Peruvians missing Pizarro and Farfan. Chile finished their game against Uruguay the stronger side and I enjoy watching the Chileans playing their football. They could be more effective, however. Valdivia impressed as a substitute and I expect him to start this match. About the M Fernandez injury situation I have to say that I do not know.

Vargas was back in the Peruvian starting line up vs. Mexico and he was man of the match. The Peruvian winning goal came late in the game, but their win was much deserved, with Peru hitting the wood work on a couple of occasions. Peru have demonstrated that they can play some decent football without their aces Pizarro and Farfan, but I expect Chile to win this fixture. They probably need to win the match to win this group and they should absolutely go for the three points. Chile then.

Read More

12.07. (Tue) 02:45 Argentina - Costa Rica

You just have to like this precarious situation that Argentina, the home favourites, have put themselves in, if you are a neutral like myself. Under extreme pressure they will be up against this young, talented, but pretty unorganised Costa Rican side, a Costa Rican side with absolutely nothing to lose. You can imagine that J Campbell and his young colleagues in the Costa Rican side will enjoy this match, but it will be quite an ordeal for Messi and his gang.

However I think that Argentina will be the winners. As I said, Costa Rica are not a well organised side and Argentina should be able to take advantage of their shortcomings.It looks like the Argentine coach Batista will at last make some necessary changes for this match. Out with the ineffective duo Lavezzi and Tevez. One of Cambiasso and Banega will also step aside with Gago starting on their midfield. Higuain will play as the lone striker with Messi as an attacking midfielder, joined by Aguero and Di Maria. Sounds already much better.

Costa Rica will be without one of their key players Guzman, who will sit out a suspension. Brenes will be back. Argentina to win, but the odds are quite useless.

Read More